Study Abroad FAQ
Where can I go on a TnCIS study abroad program?
What can I study?
Who is eligible to go on study abroad?
How do I apply?
Where will I live during the study abroad program?
Is health insurance included in the program fee?
Do I need additional health insurance?
Do I need “travel insurance”?
Is financial aid available?
What costs are not included in the fee?
How do I get a passport?
Do I need a visa to study abroad?
How do I estimate personal spending money?
Do I need to know a foreign language to study abroad?
I am not enrolled at a member institution, but I want to go on one of your programs. What do I need to do?
What if my preferred program is not offered at my institution?
I've been hearing a lot about terrorist attacks, rioting, bombings, and flu outbreaks. Is it really safe to travel abroad?
You can go to any of 15 international locations as listed on the study abroad page. We have 15 short term study abroad programs offered for the summer of 2010. Locations include Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America.
Our study abroad programs offer a range of courses that may fit into your general requirements, major, or satisfy elective requirements. For a complete list of courses offered on your campus, go to the members page. Find your institution and click on the “programs offered at your institution” link for a spreadsheet listing courses and programs you can choose from at your school.
Course information is also available on each country program web page. A brief description of the course and the syllabus are included under the academics section. Please be aware that the name of the course may be different at your institution. Students at community colleges will only be able to register for courses in the 1000 and 2000 levels. Contact TnCIS at tncis@pstcc.edu if you have any questions.
Any student in good standing (this includes academic and disciplinary matters) and registered at a member institutions is eligible to study on a TnCIS program. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a minimum GPA of 2.0. Students must have also completed a minimum of 12 college level credit hours (not including developmental credit hours) by the start of their study abroad program.
Applications are available online and are due in mid-February. Late applications will be considered on a space available basis. A complete application consists of:
1. The completed on line application
2. The application fee of $100 (paid to the cashier at your home institution)
3. An official transcript sent to TnCIS by the registrar at your institution
4. A letter of recommendation
TnCIS study abroad programs offer a variety of living accommodations. Please look on the individual program pages of the TnCIS website under Accommodations for details on which living arrangements are planned for your program of interest. Below are various accommodation arrangements through TnCIS:
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Host Family: Students may live with a host family, which is particularly desirable for foreign language study programs. By living with a host family, students are able to interact with native speakers of the language on a regular basis. This gives them ample opportunity to practice and expand the language instruction they receive in the classroom. They are also better exposed to the culture of the country.
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Hostel/Hotel: Several programs use a hostel or hotel in the program country for living arrangements. A hostel is just another word for a “small hotel” typically not belonging to a chain. This option is quite practical due to the ease of arrangements, location of the hotel and the accessibility to amenities such as restaurants, laundry and internet. In this type of program, students are often given one or more roommates depending on the size of the accommodations and the policies of the hostel/hotel. The group also typically has access to other shared living space.
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Dormitory: In some programs, TnCIS has access to dormitory facilities of other colleges or universities. This living arrangement is typically like any college or university dormitory in the US. Students live in a room with at least one roommate and have other shared living space. A cafeteria or restaurants are also located near by for meals.
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Yes. Limited health insurance is included in the program fee of all our summer study abroad programs. Click here for details on coverage.
It is recommended that you carry your own personal health insurance either through family, work or your school.
TnCIS does not provide any travel insurance coverage but you can purchase it on your own. There are several different travel insurance options available through private insurance companies that can provide financial protection for multiple scenarios. These insurance policies can cover trip cancellation prior to departure, baggage, medical, dental, emergency evacuation, 24 hour traveler assistance, baggage delay, travel delay, and accidental death during your travel dates. Some students and their parents feel this type of insurance is valuable while others choose not to seek additional insurance. This is a choice you should research to determine if you desire such a policy. Some policies do not cover study abroad. Be sure to ask specifically if the coverage will include cancellation policies, ticket reimbursement, clinic or hospital fees, etc. related to a study abroad program. You can begin your research at http://www.insuremytrip.com/plans/index.html for more information.
Yes. Federal and State financial aid can cover some of the cost of approved study abroad programs. You will need to meet with your financial aid advisor to discuss your financial aid profile. Many TBR institutions also offer partial or fully funded scholarships for study abroad. Your institutional representative will be able to advise you on how to apply for any available funds at your school. Click here to go to the Financial Aid FAQ page.
The costs not covered in the total program fee include but are not limited to the following: passport, visitor’s visa, textbooks, some meals and personal spending money.
Current information on how to obtain a passport and its fees can be found at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
Most program countries do not require a visitor’s visa. The only countries that require a visa are Brazil, China and India. If your program country requires a visa, you will be sent explicit instructions on how to obtain a visitor’s visa and the cost involved.
The question of personal spending money will be discussed in your program orientation. The amount needed for personal spending money is difficult to estimate due to the variety of spending habits and needs among our students. Some students may be able to get by on as little as $500 and others will need $1500 - $2000. Think about your spending habits and make a budget you can afford and have available by the time you leave for your program.
No. Nearly all of our summer programs are taught by faculty within the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) system and are, therefore, taught in English. Programs offering foreign language courses may be taught by TBR or local foreign faculty. These courses will, of course, be in the target language and count towards foreign language credit. While foreign language skills might make it easier to adapt, it is certainly not necessary for most of our programs.
You need to submit an application to any of the member institutions through their general admissions process. You can go to a member institution website by clicking on the school listed on the members page. Additionally, you should apply online to the program of your choice by the deadline. If you are currently at another university or college, don't forget to check with your academic adviser and financial aid office to make sure credit will transfer back and that any aid you are eligible for is applied to the program.
Students attending an institution that does not offer a program you are interested in may consider registering through another TnCIS member institution. Students will need to go through the application process at the other institution, be accepted and then register for the course through that institution. Please consider that you will likely not have financial aid or scholarships available to you in this case. You will also need to verify whether or not course credit will transfer back to your primary institution. Contact the TnCIS office if you have more questions about this arrangement.
While safety can never be guaranteed (whether in Tennessee or overseas), TnCIS follows all Department of State directives and watches for travel advisories to all countries where study abroad programs are located. Our faculty and staff have received appropriate information and training to help assure the safety of our students and follow all security and reporting measures to the best of their ability. In the event of unforeseen problems escalating in any country where a program is planned or currently in progress, your safety will be our first priority and measures will be taken to postpone or cancel a program when necessary. You should also consider having a parent, guardian or other family member obtain a valid passport in the event that you need someone to travel to be with you in the case of a medical emergency. Program fees would be refunded to the fullest extent possible in these situations.
Helpful Web Sites
http://www.studyabroad.com/guides/parentsguide/questions.html
http://travel.state.gov/
http://www.xe.com/ict/ (currency converter)
http://travel.state.gov/ (Bureau of Consular Affairs and Passports)
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/
http://studentsabroad.state.gov/